The night was silent, not a single noise except for the soft crackling of fire that dimmed slowly as the night went on.
Most people were in their beds, excluding the occasional trouble makers and Val who lay on the her stomach in the common room, her charms textbook, herbology essay and potions essays sitting by her head as she snored quietly.
Although the once silent evening then transformed into one of anxiety and fright as wails and screams echoed from the common room.
James being the extremely light sleeper that he was woke instantly, already running out of his dorm to see what the fuss was about. He stood up at the top of the stairs when he finally recognized the voice.
It was Val. His sweet, joyful Val.
As he ran down the stairs in a hurry he was met with darkness.
It was very dark. Not pitch black, but some marronish darkness that barely allowed shapes to form. All he could hear was the frightening wails and squeals, all he could smell was the coals of the fire.
It was obvious that his girlfriend was having a nightmare and he was beyond scared. "Val, Ria, Ria, Valeria!" He shouted, shaking his girlfriend by her shoulders, begging for her to wake. With one final yell Val's body snapped forward.
She was breathing heavily and had tears running down her face at an alarming speed. Her dark hair was dishevelled and her black eyeliner and light lipstick had smudged.
"Ria, are you alright?" James asked in a hurry, dark eyes overwhelmed with worry. "O had a nightmare" She told him, rubbing her face before taking a wipe from her book bag and tiredly wiping down her face.
"What happened? Peaches, please tell me" He inquired. Val gulped "Leonna had died and no one seemed to care expect for Aunt Daphne. And I was so sad, I went to see Aunt Daphne she jumped off of the Castle and I jumped after her before I could think. I landed on the Quidditch pitch but I didn't die. I tried to scream and tried to move but I couldn't. I couldn't" Val explained quietly.
"Has it always been like this?"
"I wouldn't know"
James shot her a confused look. "I don't sleep" Val elucidated "My mind has the scary capability of being dark and demented". "You are afraid of your dreams?" James guessed. "Yes"
Val sighed heavily. "Peaches, do you wanna stay with me? We can stay on the couch" James offered, reaching out to caress his girlfriend's cheek. She held her hand up to his. "Yes please" She nodded innocently.
He led her to the couch and quickly organized the pillows, making sure that Val would be comfortable.
He lay down quickly, pressing his back against the couch before ushering Val towards him. With a small grateful smile Val moved towards him and lay in front of him, pressing her back lightly against his chest and holding his hands.
The two were silent for a minute but Val soon raised her voice. "When my mother and father leave me alone to babysit Gracie, she always asks me sing to her. It's always the same song" Val smiled at the memory.
"Dancing Bears, Painted Wings,
Things I almost remember,
and a song someone sings,
once upon a December"
Val sang to herself quietly and James closed his eyes at her sweet voice, humming to himself.
"Someone holds me safe and warm,
Horses prance through a silver storm,
Figures dancing gracefully
across my memories"
"Far away, long ago,
glowing dim as an ember
Things my heart used to know
once upon a December"
"And a song someone sings
once upon a December"
Val rested her head on James' chest as she stopped singing. "Goodnight James"
"Goodnight Ria"
"I love you to the moon"
"I love you to the moon and back"